Animal welfare and our duty to care

Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment (OIE, Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2010). 'Duty of Care' is an obligation for people to take reasonable measures to protect the welfare of any animals that their activities may impact upon.

Achieving good animal welfare relies on providing animals with:​

1. Freedom from hunger or thirst, by providing access to fresh water and an appropriate diet;
2. Freedom from fear and distress, through appropriate treatment and surroundings;
3. Freedom from discomfort, by providing appropriate environments in which to live;
4. Freedom from pain, injury or disease, by prevention and rapid diagnosis and treatment;
5. Freedom to express natural behavior, by providing appropriate space, facilities, and social interactions with members of their own species.

Examples what duty of care means for different groups:​

1. For Individuals who own, use or take care for animals, duty of care means:

• Appropriately catering for their needs and preventing suffering;
• Being aware of the relevant laws and guidelines governing animal welfare for each species;
• Ensuring that animals do not impact negatively on other animals or humans.

2. For Industry groups:

• Encouraging standards of best practice in their members;
• Participating in research aimed at improving animal welfare;
• Participating in the development of animal use guidelines.

3. For Governments:

• Maintaining standards of welfare in their jurisdictions through development and enforcement of legislation; - Promoting high standards of welfare in trade;
• Developing animal welfare strategies, across local, state and national levels;
• Promoting animal welfare related research.

4. Duty of care of Animal welfare organizations:

• Raising awareness of animal welfare issues and encouraging best practice;
• Encouraging research in animal welfare areas;
• Participating in the development of animal use guidelines;
• Enforcing animal welfare legislation, such as the RSPCA Inspectorate.